The fall in demand for labour has been arrested, but employers are still worried about hiring new people, according to a new ANZ report.
ANZ's monthly job listings rose by 0.1 percent in July, the first increase in five months.
While there was nearly 8 percent more job ads in Auckland than a year ago, listings fell 2.5 percent in Wellington, and 9 percent in Canterbury.
ANZ senior economist Sharon Zollner said it was a sign the rise in employment had come and gone.
"This does suggest that the weaker growth that is evident in the New Zealand economy this year is starting to feed through to employers confidence."
Ms Zollner said unemployment was still expected to rise slightly, and hit 6.1 percent by the end of the year.